Who is HATS?

The Halocarbons & other Atmospheric Trace Species Group was formed in 1986
and began with 7 employees. By 1991, the group had grown to 22
employees.
In April of 1995, we changed our name to Nitrous Oxide and Halocompounds Group
(NOAH) to reflect the fact that non-carbon containing, halogenated gases such
as SF6 are now integral part of our program.
The general mission of the group is to quantify the distributions as well as
the magnitudes of the sources and sinks for atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O)
and halocarbons, which include the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),
chlorinated solvents (CCl4 , CH3CCl3 , etc.), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs), methyl halides
(CH3Br, CH3Cl, CH3I),
halons, and numerous other important ozone-depleting and greenhouse gases. In
1999, we changed our name to Halocarbons and other Atmospheric Trace Species
(HATS) to reflect the greater diversity of gases (hydrocarbons) measured.
HATS utilizes numerous types of platforms, including ground-based stations, towers, ocean vessels, aircraft, and
balloons, to
accomplish its mission. Achieving these goals requires the production and maintenance
of reliable gas
calibration standards that are supplied to laboratories throughout the world.